Oakton free tuition

January 21, 2009 5:18:26 PM PST

January 15, 2009 (Des Plaines,Ill.) PRESS RELEASE --

Oakton Community College waives tuition for recently unemployed.Five select career programs at Oakton Community College are available tuition free to local residents who have lost a full-time job in the last year, College officials announced. Programs range from computer diagnostics and project management to "green" marketing, manufacturing, and pharmaceutical preparation.

"Waiving tuition for these programs is one way for Oakton to immediately and meaningfully assist those whose lives have been disrupted by the economic downturn," said Margaret B. Lee, president. "We hope to help people whose finances are strained by a missing paycheck quickly return to work in job areas where there is growth."

To qualify, students must live within Oakton Community College District 535 and have become unemployed from a full-time job since Jan. 1, 2008. Participants must provide a current Wage Information Sheet and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Available certificates include A+ Computer Diagnostic Specialist; Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Operation and Programming Preparation; Green Marketing Preparation; Microsoft Project Management Preparation; and Pharmaceutical Preparation. Programs are approximately 12 credit hours and most can be completed during a single 16-week semester.

A+ Computer Diagnostic Specialist, CNC Operation and Programming, and Pharmaceutical Preparation are offered at Oakton's Skokie campus. Classes for the other two programs are held at the Des Plaines campus.

Textbook purchases and other fees may apply. Classes begin the week of Feb. 16.

For pre-screening and additional instruction contact Career Services at 847-635-1735 or careerservices@oakton.edu.